Chicken Paillards with Arugula Salad

Build this fresh and crisp meal with a mustard and fresh tarragon gravy and grilled chicken marinated in lemon and garlic; top with an arugula salad mixed with a lemon vinaigrette.

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), divided

Zest and juice of 1 lemon, divided

2 cloves garlic, grated or pasted

1 tablespoon thyme, chopped

4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or white vinegar

6 cups arugula

1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

2 radishes, thinly sliced

1 shallot, thinly sliced

1/2 cup shaved Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Preparation

In a large, shallow dish, combine 4 tablespoons EVOO, half of the lemon juice, the lemon zest, garlic and thyme. Pre-heat a grill pan or griddle over medium-high heat.

Cut into the chicken breasts horizontally to butterfly, opening them up like a book. Firmly but gently pound them into very thin cutlets; season with salt and pepper. Add them to the lemon-garlic marinade and let stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium size skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook until thickened; whisk in the chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Whisk in the mustard, then stir in the tarragon. Keep the sauce warm over low heat.

On the grill pan or griddle, working in batches if necessary, grill the chicken, turning once, until cooked through, 4-6 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining lemon juice, the vinegar and the remaining 2 tablespoons of EVOO; season with salt and pepper. Add the arugula, peas, radishes and shallot, and toss gently with your hands to lightly coat. Top with cheese.

To serve, ladle some of the sauce onto plates. Top with the chicken. Pile the salad over the chicken.